Enemy of Reality was formed in Athens in 2013, after Iliana Tsakiraki, a talented singer with a beautiful voice, left Meden Agan to form her own band. On 24 February, they released their third album "Where Truth May Lie". Iliana was happy to agree to a short interview in which she talked about the new album, the music and herself.

First of all congratulations on your new album, "Where Truth May Lie" is a very dynamic and strong album. What themes inspire the band's music?

Thank you so much for your kind words! The themes that inspire our music are a mixture of personal experiences and ancient Greek concepts that we feel strongly about. We explore ideas such as truth, freedom, and self-discovery, as well as more introspective topics like overcoming personal struggles and emotional growth. Mythology is full of great ideas and symbolism, and we draw inspiration from there as well.

Tell us a little about yourself, please. When did you start playing music and singing?

I started making music and singing when I was very young, at the age of 5 i started playing the piano and then other instruments and both classical and modern singing as I was growing up. It's been a passion of mine ever since. I grew up in a family who supported me very much for doing music, so it was a natural progression for me.

We had known you before from the band Meden Agan. How did the idea to form Enemy Of Reality come about?

The idea to form Enemy Of Reality came about when I felt the need to explore a different musical direction. I wanted to create something that was unique and powerful, that blended different genres and styles in a fresh way. I reached out to some talented musicians that I knew and respected, and we started jamming together, and the rest is history!

How popular is symphonic metal in Greece? Your fans know that you are good friends with Maxi Nil from Jaded Star and Christianna from Elysion. Can you share your experiences with each other on this?

Symphonic metal is very popular in Greece, and we have a really supportive fan base here. It's great to see so many people embracing this genre and its powerful sound. I am good friends with Maxi Nil and Christianna, and we often share our experiences and thoughts on music and the industry. It's great to have a supportive network of fellow musicians to turn to.

Who are your idols, who inspire you? What bands and singers do you like to listen to the most?

I have many idols and inspirations when it comes to music, ranging from classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath to symphonic metal acts like Nightwish, Within Temptation.I also love Dead can Dance. As a singer, I am particularly drawn to powerful vocalists like Ronnie James Dio, Freddie Mercury, Lisa Gerrard, Floor Jansen etc.

How do you take care of your voice?

Taking care of my voice is extremely important to me, and I make sure to do so in a variety of ways. This includes staying hydrated, warming up properly before shows, and avoiding things like smoking or excessive drinking that can harm the vocal cords.

You have been a vocal coach for a few years. What advice do you give to people who want to sing but lack the courage? How can they overcome their barriers?

I have been a vocal coach for ten years, teaching different styles. For people who want to sing but lack the courage, my advice would be to just go for it! Singing is such a beautiful and powerful form of expression, and everyone has the ability to do it. It's okay to be nervous or feel like you're not good enough, but the only way to overcome those barriers is to practice and put yourself out there.

Do you expect to go on tour with the new album in Europe?

We absolutely hope to go on tour with our new album in Europe! We are currently working on setting up some dates and are looking forward to sharing our music with fans in different countries. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on upcoming shows!

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Photo credits: Stella Mouzi

The history of Shield of Wings dates back to 2005. That's when the band was born, but the first EP had to wait until 2011, when "Solarium" was released. Since then, they have found a new lead singer, Lara Mordian.

The Chicago-based band's first album, "Unfinished", was released on 11 February and features ten songs representing symphonic and gothic metal, but also a few songs with power metal influences, such as the album opener Crushing Hail.

The band is interested in historical themes, but history can also be played out in us, not just in the world. Like an inner journey. Besides Lara, there is another lady in the band, Aliyah Daye, who uses the growl to complement Lara's clean vocals. They both did a super job on the album.

Lara (left) and Aliyah

The music and the vocals are true, unadulterated symphonic metal, and there's no shortage of tunes that remind us of the Middle Ages. The band is American, but the music has a very European sound and frankly, it's a very pleasant surprise. There's no overpowering in the music and Lara can sing operatic, but she still prefers to use her melodic, storytelling voice, which makes the songs pleasant. Listening to the song Come Home made me cry, it's so emotional.

Wetland came first from the album, followed by Mind of Myth. I loved both songs. Third single was Crushing Hail, which also won me over. I should mention here that not only do the two singers bring their best, but the musicians are also incredibly talented.

The whole album is a bit cinematic, but very likeable and catchy. For fans of symphonic metal this album is a must have. Powerful, dynamic songs, great instrumentation, and the voices of the two vocalists are flawless.

9/10

Release date: 11 February, 2022

Tracklist:

1. Crushing Hail

2. Native Colossus

3. Breathing

4. Frozen Harbor

5. Cedar

6. Wetland

7. Mind of Myth

8. Sunfire Shower

9. Come Home

10. The Scarred Clay Reshaping 

Musicians:

Lara Mordian - clean vocals

Aliyah Daye - additional vocals, harsh

James Gregor - guitars

Pat Eulitz - drums

Alex Luke - bass

Dirge For The Archons címmel 2016 novemberében jelent meg a spanyol szimfometalosok legutóbbi lemeze, amellyel igen szép sikereket értek el és a kritikusok is elismerően nyilatkoztak a korongról. 

Zuberoa Aznárez és zenésztársai nemrég egy Facebookos posztban jelentették be: hamarosan megkezdik ötödik stúdióalbumuk felvételeit.

Eközben az énekesnő a finn Heidi Parviainen által vezetett Dark Sarah The Golden Moth című, tavasszal boltokba kerülő albumán is vendégeskedik.